Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop remains confident after the Hudson County Democratic Organization had five key members indicate yesterday that they would support U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) for governor.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“None of this is unexpected to us + changes nothing for us. Over a year ago, we chose to build a campaign around actual voters that will not bow down to party bosses for their support. We spoke truth about the county line before almost anyone. We stood up against corrupt politicians like Senator Menendez or Norcross when nobody did,” Fulop wrote on X this morning.
“We admitted a mistake and supported Andy Kim. We said we would support primary challenges in the Assembly statewide next year (which we will do). We called out political Chairmen who monetized their positions. We did all of this bc it is the right thing to do + every step the party bosses would call me and ‘recommend’ for me to change course … Final point… These same ppl were ALL against me in 2005 for council (we won), they were ALL against me in 2013 for mayor (we won). We will win in 2025 for Governor.”
His remarks came after state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said they would be support Gottheimer if he runs for governor next year, as the New Jersey Globe first reported.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the support and confidence of such incredible leaders,” Gottheimer wrote on X yesterday.
Last month, within days of the HCDO reorganization meeting where Guy was named chair, succeeding Anthony Vainieri, who endorsed Fulop in his statewide run, the Jersey City mayor announced four of the six Hudson County Assembly members would be on his slate.
Also joining him are Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari and Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt. Fulop said at the time that he took these steps after Guy reneged on a commitment to back him for governor.
Also at the time, HCV reported that Gottheimer had inquired about the HCDO endorsement, which was hinted at further when the congressman praised Stack and his civic association in an email blast at the beginning of the month.
Fulop and Stack have had a hot and cold relationship at best since the latter ran for HCDO chair in June 2018 (with the former’s support), losing to then-freshman Jersey City Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise.
Back then, Guy and his predecessor, County Executive Tom DeGise were on the same side as North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, Sires, Turner, and Davis. Evidently, times have changed quite a bit in the past six years.
For the time being, Gottheimer still isn’t a declared gubernatorial candidate, with him and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-5) expected to make a decision after their re-election bids in November.
In the meantime, the Democratic field consists of Fulop, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney for the June 3rd, 2025 showdown.